Chapter 25

After Martin left for hospital, Louisa woke the boys and, with Emily's help, got them off to their respective schools. She prepared a cup of tea and some toast and sat down at the kitchen table to relax for a minute with the morning paper before moving to her desk to take up her marking. As she began to sort through her students' papers, she found herself gazing over to the corner where Lizzie's bed always sat and felt a twinge of loneliness for the company of her faithful calico. Lizzie would often jump on her lap whilst she was working and she missed her familiar presence.

It had been only three months since Lizzie had suffered a sudden decline. She was drinking more than usual, but had stopped eating, and was losing weight rapidly. They knew something was wrong. When they took her to the vet, he advised that Lizzie was suffering from advanced kidney disease and was likely in pain. They could try administrating subcutaneous fluids, but at best it would give her only another month or two, and he advised that the time had come to let her go. Louisa knew she was being selfish, but she had to try the fluids just in case, but they didn't help and after a few days, she made the final appointment with the vet. Martin went with her for support. He was quiet during the procedure, but she could tell that he was upset as well. He had grown to love Lizzie in his own way over the years they had been together. Their back garden was small, but they opted to bring Lizzie back home and bury her under a small flowering shrub, letting James and Robert help with the ceremony, introducing them to the cycle of life.

Someday she might be able to convince Martin to allow another animal into their lives, but now was not the time, not with a new baby on the way. She rose to look out the window at Lizzie's corner in the garden. She was cradling her tea cup in her hands when she felt a familiar painful tightening around her abdomen. Her back pain had not subsided, even with the heating pad. In fact, it had become worse. All she could think was, "no, no, no, it's too soon for labour to start". Fortunately, the contraction was short-lived and the intense pain eased as quickly as it had come. Perhaps it was just a Braxton Hicks and her sore back made it seem worse.

She returned to her work, but soon another contraction hit. "Not a good sign" she thought and she looked at the clock, just in case, 9:55. Ten minutes later another contraction hit, 10:05. Beginning to feel panicky she rose from her chair to walk around the house, hoping movement would somehow stop what now appeared to be full-fledged early labour. The baby had been lightening over the past few days. She should have given it more consideration, but she hadn't thought much about it because James and Robert had done the same a few weeks before birth, and her due date was almost five weeks away.

She stared out the window; it had been a warm autumn and now in early November, there were still a good many colourful leaves left on the trees. The sky was clear and the sun was shining brightly, and she was tempted to take a short walk through the park close to their home but then another contraction hit. She looked at the clock, 10:15, ten minutes.

It was still quite early; she didn't think she would need to head to hospital until later in the day, but still, she considered, "Best put together a list of people to contact." First the school – they would need to organize a supply teacher much sooner than they had expected. She should make that call as soon as the next contraction ended. Second, she should contact Emily to see if she was available to stay all afternoon and evening. Her university classes were in the afternoon and term ended in early December, convenient for her due date, but not now. She might not be able to help this afternoon. She should contact Ruth, put her on notice as she might be able to help if need be. Next on her list would be her friend Amy Woodvine; Amy had offered to take the boys for the night when the time came. And most importantly, she must let Martin know, but not before his appointment with his parents. He had enough stress this morning without worrying about her, because he would worry.

She started to make the calls between the contractions and had made all the necessary arrangements by the time her labour reached the magic five-minute interval mark, nearly three hours later. The call to her doctor's office confirmed that she should head to hospital. By the time she had gathered her bag to leave and called a taxi, it was 1:30. She dialed Martin's office number hoping he had passed off his parents to Jake by now.

Morwenna answered, "Mr Ellingham's office. How can I help you?"

"Morwenna, It's me, Louisa. Is Martin free? I know he has a full list this afternoon, but I really need to speak with him."

Morwenna was a conscientious gatekeeper and, even though Martin had given her strict instructions to interrupt him if Louisa called, she hesitated, then replied cautiously, "He's with a patient Mrs. Ellingham. Can I have him call you back in a few minutes?"

Louisa knew that she was just doing her job, but she also knew that Martin would want to know right away. Plus, now that she had called her doctor, her labour was progressing more quickly than she had thought it would. "Morwenna, my labour has started. I've called a taxi and am headed to hospital as soon as it arrives. Martin needs to know."

"Ahh, yes. He will want to speak with you immediately. Let me get him."

She could hear Morwenna running down the hall, the phone still in her hand. In another moment Martin was on the phone, "Louisa?"

"Martin, I've called a cab and am headed to hospital. It's all happening so quickly. Will you be able to meet me there?"

Sputtering, Martin replied, "Yes, yes. I will be there. Are you certain that you will be alright? I should come get you."

"Yes, I'm fine. No, you shouldn't come. I've got to go. The cab is outside and ….ooh." A strong wave washed over her and she had to wait for it to pass before she could open the door and walk down the steps to the waiting taxi. She could hear Martin shouting "Louisa!' into the phone as she ended the call.

He was waiting for her with a wheelchair as the cab pulled into the drop-off area, and he grabbed her bag and wheeled her into reception where they were waiting for her, leading her to a private labour room. There was no wait to be signed in; having a husband who was a department head had its advantages, and a husband who was known for his impatience and his temper helped even more.

A midwife walked into the room and announced, "Let's get you into a hospital gown and I'll just check to see how your labour is progressing. Have your waters broken?"

Martin moved to the door, "Um … I'll just go change into some scrubs. I'll be back momentarily." He hung onto the door jamb waiting for her to acknowledge his departure.

She looked up at him as the midwife was helping her out of the chair, "Yeah. Good."

Martin arrived back to find the midwife scooting out the door. Louisa heard him accost the midwife, "Where are you going?"

"I'll be right back. I want a doctor to take a look. It appears the baby is in a breech position which may require a caesarean."

"Martin?" Louisa reached out for him as the midwife continued down the hall. "She has gone to call the doctor."

Martin nodded and took her hand, "Yes. What did she tell you?"

"Just that she wanted the doctor to check. They didn't do that with James or Robert."

"No. She told me that the baby is breech. It may be that a caesarean section will be required if they can't turn the baby."

"That's what happened with Amy when Gina was born. You will stay with me, won't you?"

"Of course." He sat beside her and dropped her hand as she focused her breathing, concentrating on the current contraction. She could see the look of concern on his face and knew that he wished he could share some of the burden that she must bear. As soon as she fell back on the bed, he replied, "I will be here the entire time. Don't worry. Caesareans have become routine. I'm sure the doctor has done hundreds before."

The midwife reappeared in the doorway, "Doctor will be here shortly. How are things going?"

As Louisa updated the midwife on her progress, she could hear a familiar voice coming down the hall and noticed a shadow fall across Martin's face. He rose and walked to the door. The voice cried out, "Ellingham!"

"What are you doing here?" he bellowed.

'I'm here to evaluate my patient. What are you …. Oh, I see." As she walked into the room and saw Louisa, she greeted her, "Good morning Mrs. Ellingham. I'm not sure if you remember me. Doctor Montgomery. Your midwife has informed me that your baby is presenting in the breech position. I'll just need to examine you."

"Where is Doctor Sanjay?" Louisa wanted the comfort of having her own doctor even though she knew it wasn't always possible.

"Unfortunately, she has come down with the flu bug that is going around. Her practice asked me to fill in for the day."

Martin spoke up at this point, "Are you certain that there is no other doctor who can attend Louisa?"

Edith gave him a wry look, "Not unless you would care to perform the procedure yourself."

Martin looked horrified.

"I thought not". Returning her attention to Louisa and shooing him away with her hand, she added, "Could you please leave the room whilst I examine your wife? It will only take a moment."

Louisa reached her hand out to Martin, motioning for him to come to her bedside, "No. I want Martin to stay."

"Very well. Ellingham, please stand by your wife's head, out of the way." Martin did as he was told. "Yes, that's good."

A few moments later, Edith confirmed that a caesarean was necessary and within the hour, they were all in theatre. Louisa was prepped and Martin was seated on a stool behind her holding her right hand with his, his left resting on her shoulder and his head next to hers waiting for the arrival of their third child. Neither could see the procedure because of the sheet that was draped across her body, although Edith described the steps she was taking, for Martin's benefit Louisa was sure. Certainly, she didn't enjoy hearing exactly which incisions were made or how. It took much longer than she had expected but eventually, after some tugging, she heard the reassuring sound of a baby's wail. "Lungs appear to be healthy," Edith observed to no one in particular. Louisa knew that could be a serious issue with pre-term babies and she was relieved to know that wouldn't be a problem. She leaned up on her elbows hoping to see, but Edith barked at her, "Please lie back down Mrs. Ellingham. It will only be a moment. I am cutting the umbilical cord."

"Is it a boy or girl," Louisa cried.

"One moment please. Nurse, a blanket."

In another minute, Edith walked up to Martin and, with a look of pride and love, handed him a bundle, "Ellingham, your daughter."

"The doctor is supposed to hand the baby to me. I want to see my baby." Louisa shifted her gaze from Martin to Edith who returned her look with a self-satisfied smirk as if to say, "He's still mine." It was reminiscent of the dream she had had several years ago, before they were married, in which Edith had delivered her baby and then told her not to worry, that she Edith would ensure that Martin was satisfied while she was recovering. Louisa glared at Edith and then turned to Martin to take the baby and saw her husband, totally absorbed with a look of adoration on his face as he cradled their new born in his arms whilst brushing the back of his fingers across her cheek, the same gesture he used when greeting the boys. Already, he was absolutely besotted and gazing at him she found tears welling up. Finally, she could wait no longer and she whispered, "Martin."

Startled from his reverie by her voice, he shook his head and glanced her way, "Yes."

Giving her one of his rare tender smiles, he gently placed their daughter into her arms.

She took the swaddled infant and repeated Martin's gesture, trailing her fingers across her cheek, brushing the wisps of light brown hair on the top of her head. Unable to take her eyes from her daughter, she murmured, "Oh Martin, she's beautiful" and heard him reply, "Yes, yes she is.'

In a moment, he added, "Just like her mother."

At those words, Louisa started to sob, tears running down her cheeks.

"Louisa, what's wrong?" Martin leaned in with a concerned look and picked up the baby, cradeling her in his left arm. Sitting up, he looked over to the surgical assistant and in an authoritative voice, he commanded, "Nurse, some tissues please." The nurse immediately placed a few tissues in his hand which he used to delicately blot the tears running down Louisa's cheeks. Snapping his fingers in the direction of the surgical staff, again he barked, "more tissues".

"Ellingham, this is not your theatre. It is not appropriate for you to be ordering my staff about."

Louisa saw Martin glare at Edith, then command once again, "More tissues for my wife."

She could see the surgical staff look from Edith to Martin and back again. Martin snapped his fingers again and one of the nurses reached for more tissues and handed them to him.

Martin nodded his head, "Thank you", while Edith glared at the nurse. Louisa smiled to herself in satisfaction, understanding just who was the more respected, or at least feared, surgeon in the room, and she could see that Edith wasn't happy.

"I'm fine Martin, really there's no need." And she choked back a sob.

As he softly continued to minister to her, blotting first one cheek and then the other, Martin said, "Louisa, I thought you would be happy. Why are you crying."

"Happy tears Martin, very, very happy tears." She reached up and pulled his face to hers and kissed him tenderly on the lips. He pulled back slightly, embarrassed by his wife's open display of affection in front of the surgical team and, especially, in front of Edith. "I love you Martin." She whispered as she gazed into his eyes.

"Mmm … "He leaned in close and whispered into her ear. "I love you too."

While he was close to her, she asked, "When will they be done? When can we be alone?"

"Mmm … yes." Turning to Edith, he demanded, "When will you finish closing up?"

Edith kept her head down concentrating on her work, "Do you want me to hurry or do it right? Hmm, Ellingham?"

"Right." Martin returned his attention to Louisa and, handing the baby back to her, he hovered over them protectively. Louisa started talking to her daughter, "Welcome to the world little Louisa Joan, my little Joanie."

At the sound of Louisa's voice, the baby opened her eyes and stared at the two of them, "We're your mummy and daddy and we love you with all our hearts, and you have two big brothers at home to love and protect you too."

"Louisa, you do know that infants are unable to focus for the first few days of life. She can't really see you."

"Maybe not, but she can hear us. Babies can hear even in the womb. I'm sure she knows our voices, so she knows that we are special people."

Author's note: Dear readers, to those of you who find the inclusion of Edith at this point in my story a bit too predictable and lacking in originality, I feel the same. But …. I just couldn't resist … after all, she is one of the women in his life.